Saturday, September 13, 2008

47 year old Carl Lewis star of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics with four gold medals, told Sports Illustrated: "I'm proud of America right now because we have the best random and most comprehensive drug-testing programme. " (Although in 1988 for the US Finals for the Seoul Olympics he tested positive for pseudoephedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine – all banned stimulants ...her ...ws..er.. taking a cold remedy)

"Countries like Jamaica do not have a random programme, so they can go months without being tested."

In a thinly veiled remark about Usain Bolt's stunning triple successes at the Beijing Olympics epressed his cation over Bolt's success "When people ask me about Bolt I say he could be the greatest athlete of all time.But to run 10.03 seconds one year and 9.69 the next, if you don't question that in a sport with the reputation it has right now, you're a fool. Period."

"No-one is accusing Bolt, but don't live by a different rule and expect the same kind of respect. How dare anybody feel that there shouldn't be scrutiny, especially in our sport?"

"Let's be real. Let me go through the list: Ben Johnson, Justin Gatlin, Tim Montgomery, Tyson Gay and the two Jamaicans. Six people have run under 9.80 legally, three have tested positive, and one had a year out," Lewis said.

Lewis also cast doubts on the failure of Veronica Campbell-Brown's failure to make the 100 metres team for the recent Olympics.

"Veronica Campbell-Brown lives in the United States and has been transparent and consistent," Lewis said.

"She won the Worlds last year in the 100 metres and this year can't even make the Jamaican team. Are you going to tell me that shouldn't be questioned?"

Dr Herb Elliott, the Jamaican team doctor who is also a member of the IAAF anti-doping commission, hit back saying: "They still think we don't know anything down in Jamaica."I am the person who tests in Jamaica, and I tested Bolt 15 times between last November and December."

"People forget that I was the first one to speak out about Ben [Johnson], and I got crucified," Lewis said. "A year later, I was a prophet. The athletes have to say, 'No, this isn't right.' They know who's on it. They need to step up." Seems to us here at Patel Towers that Mr Lewis is not saying this without sound jsutification and not without a little inside knowledge.

Meanwhile New Scientist reports that Hans Eriksen of the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Oslo, has run calculations that show that is sain hadn't slowed he could have run 9.55 seconds in the 100 metres.